Keeping warm: the future of heat

It is widely acknowledged that we need to begin to decarbonise the heat we use - but there is still no UK-wide strategy for how we will do it. Keeping warm [ 2.7 mb] sets out Citizens Advice’s road map for the future of heat, outlining the actions the government needs to take to ensure people are protected in the move to low-carbon energy.

Heating and hot water are responsible for 20% of UK greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Committee on Climate Change, there is a need to reduce these emissions by 20% by 2030 and almost entirely by 2050.

Decarbonising the way we heat our homes and businesses will represent a fundamental change for the vast majority. These changes will be intrusive. Some will require altering the fabric of buildings, interruptions to energy supplies and the widespread adoption of new technologies. Proposals include heat pumps to replace boilers, heating buildings through heat networks, and the introduction of hydrogen gas for heating.

It is currently unclear what steps to decarbonise heat will be taken when, how such a programme would be paid for and where those costs would fall.

We already see considerable evidence of problems faced by consumers on heat networks. Because they are not regulated, many more people risk being exposed to the same issues in future unless reforms are put in place.

Keeping warm highlights these issues and sets out measures the government needs to put in place by the end of 2019 and by 2022.

By December 2019:

A consultation on a detailed heat decarbonisation strategy

Treasury to establish an independent commission to examine the implications for the low-carbon transition and how it should be paid for

A consultation on a fully costed plan to support the rollout of low-carbon heating systems.